Introduction: Hello everyone, and welcome to my brand new project, The Darkest Days.

You've all most likely read the summary (unless you cicked on here by mistake), so I'm sure you have a decent idea of what the story's going to be about. However, I feel the need to extend on the information I've already given, hence the introduction. I couldn't mention everything in a hundred or so words, after all.

First thing you guys should know is that the reason "the warrior code is enforced brutally" is because it's set in the past, many moons BF (before Firestar). Obviously, this means I'll be using the old forest territories, which is actually a bit adventurous by my standards.

Second thing you should know is that I am kinda stretching it by giving this fanfic a T rating. It will contain quite a lot of adult themes, especially when it comes to violence. Essentially, I'm not going to hold back on descriptions, so if you're squeamish about that sort of stuff then this probably isn't the fic for you. You have been warned.

Now we've got all the important stuff out of the way I can be a bit more cheerful. :P

In case you're wondering, me starting this definitely does NOT mean I am stopping writing Slaves. The support on that story has been mindboggling so far, and as if I haven't said it enough, thank you so much to everyone who consistently read and review it. I wouldn't have even got past the first five chapters without you guys! But you know how it is if you've experienced writing fanfiction. Ideas are constantly popping into your head, and i just had to write this one down.

So, now that I've finished talking, here are the allegiances for the story.

Allegiances

ShadowClan:

Leader: Shadestar,

Dark grey tomcat with amber eyes.

Deputy: Blizzardwing,

White she-cat with blue eyes. Mate of Shadestar.

Medicine Cat: Sagefeather,

Handsome light grey tabby tom with amber eyes. Son of Shadestar.

The Elite:

Pineblaze, enormous ginger tom with green eyes.

Crowfur, black tabby tom.

Marshfang, mottled brown tom.

Cedarpelt, old grey she-cat with a scarred muzzle.

Warriors:

Barkclaw, brown tabby tom cat.

Wolfwhisker, grey tom with blue eyes.

Duskcloud, light brown she-cat with amber eyes.

Cherryshine, calico she-cat with green eyes.

Snaketail, grey tomcat.

Badgerfoot, black and white tom.

Russetheart, dark ginger she-cat.

Spiderthroat, black tomcat with amber eyes.

Apprentices:

Webpaw, grey tomcat.

Frogpaw, brown tom with green eyes.

Hollypaw, black she-cat with blue eyes.

Queens:

Oliveflight, brown she-cat. Mate of Barkclaw.

Elders:

Shredtooth, grey tom. Father of Shadestar.

Nightear, black tomcat.

I should mention the fact that the reason there aren't any allegiances for the other Clans concerns quite an important plot point. :)

Well, that's pretty much everything for now. I'll get Chapter One out as soon as possible. Please tell me your opinions on the story line and/or any questions you have in a review! I'd also be interested to hear who you think the main character of the story will be. :)

Thanks a lot for checking out the introduction to The Darkest Days!

-Claud